Foreign-born population – 2025 | 18.7% of the population | Main countries of birth: Poland (11%), Ukraine (8%), Sweden (5%) |
Size: 1 million, 49% women | Evolution since 2015: +41% |
International Migration Outlook 2026
50th Edition
In 2025, Norway received 35 000 new immigrants on a long-term or permanent basis (including changes of status), ‑2% compared to 2024. This figure comprises 45% immigrants benefitting from free mobility, 10% labour migrants, 42% family members (including accompanying family) and 4% humanitarian migrants. Around 3 200 permits were issued to tertiary-level international students and 6 900 to temporary and seasonal labour migrants.
Ukraine, Poland and Syria were the top three nationalities of newcomers in 2024. Among the top 15 countries of origin, Sweden registered the strongest increase (200) and Ukraine the largest decrease (‑12 000) in flows to Norway compared to the previous year.
In 2025, the number of first asylum applicants decreased by ‑29%, to reach around 3 400. The majority of applicants came from Ukraine (1 100), Syria (400) and Eritrea (300). The largest increase since 2024 concerned nationals of Ukraine (400) and the largest decrease nationals of Syria (‑1 700). Of the 2 190 decisions taken in 2025, 30% were positive.
Emigration of Norwegian citizens to OECD countries increased by 2% in 2024, to 9 200. Approximately 21% of this group migrated to Spain, 19% to Denmark and 15% to Sweden.
In May 2025, the government confirmed its commitment to implementing those parts of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum that are binding on Norway through the Schengen and Dublin co‑operation frameworks. Additional budgetary resources were allocated in the revised national budget to enable implementation of EU screening, border‑procedure, return and Eurodac regulations by summer 2026, including capacity building within the Directorate of Immigration (UDI), the police and the Immigration Appeals Board.
In parallel, the Ministry of Justice and Public Security initiated legislative work to amend the Immigration Act and Immigration Regulations, with a particular focus on procedures for temporary collective protection and more efficient case processing. A formal consultation on proposed amendments was launched in December 2025, covering rules on registration, renewal and transition between protection statuses.
In preparation, Norway advanced administrative and operational adjustments aimed at faster case handling, increased use of screening at entry points and more consistent return procedures. These measures were framed as part of efforts to ensure predictability and compliance with Schengen‑relevant obligations.
The government continued its temporary collective protection scheme for displaced persons from Ukraine, extending eligibility to a fourth year and confirmed a fifth-year extension. At the same time, restrictions were introduced for applicants from areas in Ukraine deemed safe, shifting them to individual protection assessments. The resettlement quota for refugees was reduced from 1 000 places in 2024 to 500 in 2025, partly due to capacity constraints following the influx of Ukrainians.
A proposal to constitutionalise the right to seek asylum is still under consideration, while a temporary suspension of the processing of asylum applications from Syrian nationals was implemented in June 2025 following the regime change in Syria. Processing of applications for protection from people from Syria resumed on 25 December 2025.
In June 2025, an amendment to the Integration Act raised the age limit for the Introduction programme from 55 to 60, and the rules regarding the programme’s duration were revised. Measures have been adopted to improve the recognition of foreign qualifications and strengthen the fight against discrimination, including three new national action plans aimed at combating racism and hate speech.
Since September 2025, completing courses in Norwegian and passing a civic integration test will no longer be a requirement for obtaining a permanent residence permit but applicants must pass an oral Norwegian language test at level A2 or higher (one level higher than before) and a civic integration test in their preferred language.
In August 2025, the government unveiled a renewed action plan targeting social dumping and labour market crime, aimed at protecting workers’ rights and curbing exploitation, particularly among foreign nationals in vulnerable employment situations.
For further information: www.udi.no | www.imdi.no | www.regjeringen.no
